Ok I am going crazy trying to be comfortable with what we are doing every day. I want to have a more classical curriculum, but i just can't figure out how to fit it all in. I also have found some of the classical books don't keep my ds's interest. I feel as though I am not doing enough. What are your 6th graders doing all day? What does your week look like? How many hours do you spend doing school?
I have a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling AND a 6th grader. Here is what her typical day/week looks like: Copywork (Daily: this takes about 10-15 minutes) Narration (Daily: about 20 minutes...but she loves this so she may take longer) Spelling (Daily: 20 minutes with a pretest on Thursday and a test on Friday..but we do this in dictation format) History (Tuesdays and Thursdays...about 40 minutes which includes reading the chapter and starting any projects or reports) Science (M,W,F....about 20 minutes to read and then lab time which varies) Geography (T, R...this is included with our history) Reading (Daily: 20 minutes required but she reads MUCH more. Various books are assigned: living history, biography and personal reading. The books are then divided into which days she devotes her time) Language (Daily: 20 minutes spent in workbooks...just to make sure she had the concepts down but I do include language activities in copywork) Bible (Daily: 20 minutes or so for devotion and answering questions) Fridays: Sometimes on Fridays I throw in something extra like Shakespeare, poetry, art, and things of that nature. I will be honest, Art is where I am lacking a bit. I will try to implement a better plan next year. If you want a good solid art program try Artistic Pursuits. I have the book for my 4 year old...and it's awesome! They have books for junior high as well..I will get one for next year. Hope that helped! I am by no means an expert and frankly think I'm missing something...lol.
I have come across the same problem with the classical approach. It sounds good in theory, but my kids get a glazed look in their eyes when I try it. to be honest, it is a little boring to me as well. I don't have a 6th grader yet, but I feel sometimes that I'm not doing enough either. I don't have any advice(sorry) but if it helps, you're not the only one who feels this way.
Thank you golden apple I enjoyed looking at what you have on your schedule. Thank you to the other person that posted. It is nice to know i am not alone. Here is the issue. I have decided that without a doubt I am too indecisive. Seriously, I can't be happy with what I am doing, ever. To make matters worse I never can get everything done that we need to get done. If we can't finish before 2:30 when my other 2 children come home from school, then we just don't finish it. I have decided that there are certain things that i want my children to learn and be comfortable with. 1. Math - They need to know their facts well enough to complete a timed test in a reasonable amount of time. They must be at grade level. 2. Reading - They must be able to read at grade level. I would like them to read good literature. (After school hours they can read whatever keeps them reading.) 3. Writing - They need to be able to write in complete sentences, and express their ideas clearly. They need to be at grade level. 4. History - Lots of fun reading. SOTW is great! This could easily be the center of our curriculum. I love reading about it and doing fun projects for it. 5. Science - A nature journal, a fun and interesting program with lots of hand on activities. (Still have not found it!) I want my children to know everything they can possibly learn. 6. Geography- My school children know nothing. Geography is just not taught very well in school. I want my hsed children to know where places are. 7. Art and music - Be familiar artists and composers. Be able to enjoy both. So that is it. Not hard right- WRONG! I am so stressed. With 2 kids in school and 2 and 1/2 kids being hsed, I have a lot to prove. I also was told by my dad to PUT THOSE KIDS IN SCHOOL AND GET A CAREER! I have a lot of pressure to prove that this is worth me not working.
first of all let me just say, you have nothing to prove to anyone!! I know your dad probably means well, but ultimately, what he thinks matters not one bit. You are the final authority when it comes to your childs education and you need to be comfortable in that role or you will constantly be second-guessing yourself and pushing your kids to do more. No job you ever do will ever be more important than the one you are doing right now. if you are ever asked if this is worth you not working, you ask yourself, "what are my children worth?' Even if homeschoolling were a total disaster and you failed miserably at teaching your kids( not even gonna happen) they would still be better off having you home and not being stuck in an "institution" sorry to sound a little harsh, but it is something I feel strongly about and I really sense that you need some support more than anything else and I hate it when women are criticized for choosing mothering. please know that what ever you do in your school, is far superior to assembly line learning. ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. please let us know how it's going.
I think your goals look fine...and make perfect sense. I also agree you should NEVER second guess yourself. You seem to have defined goals. Finding the right method and books is no easy task. It can take quite a bit of time to find what works best. That's okay. I mean if your children were in school and the method was flawed..there would be NO way to change it. So, you are already an improvement because you can adjust to your child's needs. The schools do NOT know better than you. They have a system and they follow it. Find the system that works for your kids and follow it. Also, don't let anyone tell you what's best. In fact, just smile and nicely say, "thanks for your input, I'll keep that in mind." or "yes, I have that covered, thanks for your concern." Sometimes it's better to be nice than cause arguments. Who cares if your dad thinks you are taking his advice. lol. Now if this is a sore spot you may have to say, "I'm sorry but this is my decision and I will handle it from here. Thank you for caring enough to interject but it's not necessary." You will be fine. What specifically are you concerned with? Your plan and goals look good. Are you in need of good textbook ideas, living books, a schedule....???
Looks great! You don't have to prove anything to your dad. I am sure he means well, but doesn't realize what he's saying and he will come around. If he doesn't, that really is too bad. But it is your decision and he has to respect that. I remember being nervous to tell my dad we were going to hs, and he really had nothing to say about the subject. I took that as disapproval. However, a few months ago, I was feeling really discouraged about HS'ing but not telling anybody. Out of the blue he tells me how proud he is and how lucky the kids are to have the world as their classroom. My mouth fell open and I almost started crying (unheard of...if you knew me, you would know I hardly ever cry!).
